This year, Reach Inc. is hosting their 8th annual Reach Inc. Race for Independence on Saturday, July 4th, starting at 8:00AM.  As in past years, this race features a 1K, 5K, and 10K.  The fun begins and ends at the Reach Inc. Work Center at 322 Gallatin Park Drive, follows a gorgeous course mostly on trails, and raises funds to help adults with developmental disabilities in our community to live as independently as possible.

Reach Inc. is a local, private, non-profit that provides care to over 100 adults with developmental disabilities.  Their services include vocational, residential, and transportation supports to assist their clients in achieving their individualized goals and aspirations.

This year there are new start-times for the races.  The 10K, as always, will start at 8:00AM.  The 5K will start at 8:30AM, and the 1K will start at 9:00AM.  This new schedule will enable all participants to finish within a shorter time-frame, reduce timing errors, and spread runners out on the course.  Sorry, no dogs.  Race directors and volunteers ask that you literally keep one ear open for people who want to pass.  Due to the narrowness on parts of the trail, and the hope of creating greater opportunities for faster folks to pass, “tuning out” your fellow runners by plugging both ears with music is discouraged.

This course is flat and fast.  Registration is $25 per person for the 5K and 10K, and $15 per person for the 1K.  All children who finish the 1K will receive a medal.  Sporty, snazzy, wicking tee-shirts are available for an additional $10 each.  Medals are given out three places deep for each age group and gender.  Register at Reach Inc. 8am to 5pm (322 Gallatin Park Drive) or on-line at www.reachinc.org or https://runsignup.com/Race/MT/Bozeman/ReachIncRaceforIndependence.  For more information, to volunteer, or to help sponsor the event, contact Dee Metrick at dee@reachinc.org or 406-587-1271.

https://storify.com/bozemag/give-big-gallatin-valley

 Click the link to see photos shared online by locals participating in the event!

The Bozeman Area Community Foundation’s Give Big Gallatin Valley Day is a 24-hour, online and live celebration of giving created to increase philanthropy in Gallatin County. The goal is simple –inspire our people to come together, show their pride in their communities, andcontribute to support the life-changing work of local nonprofit organizations! This event happened for the first time in Bozeman on Tuesday May 5th and raised 2,811 gifts totaling $237,505.55 for area nonprofits!

Teachers and informal educators can learn to incorporate archaeology into their classrooms and programs through hands-on summer courses from Project Archaeology, a program based at Montana State University.

Participants engage in archaeological activities such as investigating field sites and analyzing artifacts while exploring curriculum materials that cover topics such as math and language literacy, problem solving processes and inquiry. The program has several STEM components (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and also fulfills many core requirements in Indian Education for All and the Common Core Standards.

“Project Archaeology: Investigating a Plains Tipi” takes place June 15-18 in Bozeman.

“Project Archaeology: Educator Field School” takes place Aug. 3-7 in the gold rush town of Virginia City.

Both courses offer graduate credits from MSU; participants in the Virginia City course may also choose to enroll in the non-credit option and receive 30 OPI renewal units instead of academic credit. All participants receive a full set of curriculum materials.

Educators from throughout the United States are encouraged to participate. The field school and curriculum materials are also appropriate for informal educators, such as those based at museums, science schools and after-school programs.

For more information or to register, visit http://eu.montana.edu/credit/ or call (406) 994-6683. The courses are listed under “Education, Curriculum and Instruction.” Teachers can view a video of the Virginia City course at http://vimeo.com/34613697/

Starting May 23, 2013, Bear Aware, LLC will offer bear spray rentals in Yellowstone National Park.  When used properly, bear spray is the most effective way to stop bear attacks, being 95% effective whereas firearms are only 55% effective.  It is a last line of defense to be sprayed in the face of a charging bear.  

Founder, Sally Vering, created Bear Aware, LLC in response to the fatal grizzly bear attacks in the summer, 2011 wherein neither victim was carrying spray. “When you step out of your car in Yellowstone National Park, you are stepping into wilderness. You are in the bears’ home and should know how to avoid and stop an attack. When used properly, bear spray can save the lives of both human and bear,” says Vering.

In 2009, while vacationing in Montana, Vering (who hails from Chicago) startled a grizzly sow with two cubs as she drove to a hiking trail 20 miles north of the park. The bears began charging toward her car, and at the last moment, the sow steered her cubs to the roadside where she chased one up a tree and the other into the brush.  Luckily, the bear didn’t attack and Sally safely got away. “Seeing the primal nature of that grizzly protecting her cubs forever changed my life.  She meant business, and if I were on foot, I wouldn’t be alive today.”   

A year later Vering moved to Bozeman, Montana where she’s since learned about living in bear country. When she heard about the fatal grizzly attacks in 2011, she decided to do something to help raise hiking-safety awareness and bring bear spray rentals to the park. “It’s become my passion to better equip and educate tourists so they can safely enjoy the majesty of Yellowstone National Park.  When people take the time to learn about bears and bear spray, they can avoid - and even stop - a bear attack.” she said.

“The spray we carry was developed by a grizzly bear attack survivor,” states Sam Azizi, Operations Manager of Bear Aware. “Pepper Power® deploys a blast of highly concentrated pepper spray in a dense fog that instantly overwhelms the bear. Once a charging bear feels the effects of the spray, it will turn on its heels and leave the area.”
        
“To better inform our customers, we consulted with Dr. Chris Kenyon, Veterinarian and former Supervisor on the Northern Continental Divide Grizzly Bear Project.  With her input, we created  the ‘I Am Bear Aware Pledge’ which highlights the Park’s safety recommendations.” said Azizi.  "Customers take the pledge and watch a safety video before renting."

While hiking in Yellowstone, I will …

Beware wildlife and keep a safe distance.
Explore in a group of 3 or more.
Always stay alert and make noise.
Relax and retreat if I see a bear. I will not run.
Stand my ground and use bear spray.        © 2015.         

Bear Aware, LLC provides UDAP Pepper Power® 9.2 oz. Magnum Bear Spray rentals at $9.25/day or $28.00/week (up to 7 days) and also sells it for $49.99  The kiosk is located on the plaza of the Canyon Village Visitor Center and will be open seven days a week. Convenient drop-off bins will also be located at the Mammoth and Old Faithful locations of Yellowstone Park Service Stations.  Visitors may learn more about bear spray, how to properly use it, and view safety videos at their website, www.bearaware.com.

Do singles in different states look for different things in a partner? Mashable’s 2014 online dating study might indicate so. Match.com took to the task of sifting through thousands of U.S. dating profiles on their website in order to investigate common user interests by region.

The study identified one term for each state that was used with higher frequency than in other states. The chosen terms turned out to be quite descriptive of people’s lifestyles and interests that differed greatly from state to state. Fun-loving Pennsylvanians, for example, are searching for “amusement”, while folks from Tennessee may prefer to sit with their partner out on the “porch”. North Carolinians are serving in the “Military” and Hawaiians would prefer to “surf” on their first date. “Oil” is apparently on the minds of many Texans looking for love.



Montana’s descriptor is suited to the ladies and gentlemen who want to be able to enjoy the wilderness and bring home the bacon: hunting. Whether it’s bison or grouse, singles in the 406 want to meet someone who is potentially adventurous, brave, rugged and shares their taste in meaty cuisine. They are hardworking, boots-on-the-ground men and women that dig the neon-orange and camo-pants look. While Ohioans bond over NASCAR and people in Mississippi are content with just “lookin’”, Montanans crave the primal thrill of providing for themselves and sharing their prize with their future sweethearts. In a state of vast lands, few people, and abundant wildlife, it’s no wonder why hunting is a common interest.

Not finding love in Montana? No worries – Wyoming, Arkansas, Louisianna, and West Virginia residents are also looking for guys and gals who dig the hunter culture. Happy hunting!

For the third year in a row, Montana State University has been designated a Tree Campus USA in honor of its commitment to effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals.

In recognition of the designation and in celebration of Arbor Day, MSU will hold its third annual “Plant a Tree, Donate a Tree” event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 24, on South 15th Street just north of Lincoln Street near the intramural fields. Individuals who are interested in donating a tree are invited to contact Blake Lerner at blake.lerner@msu.montana.edu. People who would like to help plant a tree are invited to simply show up at the tree planting location during the designated hours.

MSU achieved the Tree Campus USA recognition by meeting Tree Campus USA’s five standards, which include maintaining a tree advisory committee, maintaining a tree care plan, dedicating annual expenditures toward trees, observing Arbor Day and committing to a student service learning project.

“We are honored to be recognized once again for our ongoing stewardship of our tree resources,” said E.J. Hook, MSU environmental services manager. “Designation as a Tree Campus USA validates our efforts, process and continuing commitment to responsible management of our trees, both now and into the future. What is most encouraging is the increased awareness throughout the campus community regarding the value of trees and the difference they make in the environment we all share.”

MSU’s Tree Campus USA designation is from the Arbor Day Foundation, an organization dedicated to inspiring people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. The Arbor Day Foundation created the Tree Campus USA program in 2008. More information is available online at http://www.arborday.org/programs/treeCampusUSA/.

Seneca Boards, a Bozeman based ski and snowboard manufacturer established in 2006, announced a 4-month early limited edition release of the 2016 backcountry specific skis and split-boards today. Products are typically made for release in the fall when demand starts to increase in anticipation for the ski season, which also gives manufacturers the summer months to finish production. The early release was timed to encourage backcountry skiing after the ski resorts closed.

The decision to release next year’s products early was made back in February to allow for an extra production run during the winter. One of the company’s core philosophies has been to challenge the status quo in the ski and snowboard industry, both with its practices and products. “Seneca continues to create innovative products every year” said Eric Newman, Founder and Product Developer at Seneca Boards “The goal of this early release is to demonstrate our commitment to doing things a little differently”

If releasing the skis early isn’t unique enough, the technology in their construction certainly is. The new backcountry skis feature a hybrid construction of fiberglass, Kevlar and carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is roughly twice as strong as steal, and ¼ the weight. But using it correctly is difficult, which is why we are only now seeing it used by mainstream manufacturers, such as DPS skis and the Volkl V-Werks.

Seneca started development of their carbon skis nearly two seasons ago. Working with it required working closely with their epoxy supplier to develop new heating and curing cycles. They also worked with their new carbon fiber supplier, the same supplier and sponsor of NASA’s space shuttle program, to calculate and calibrate the new flex of the ski. The result is a ski that is livelier, stronger, and up to 1.5lbs lighter. To illustrate the complexity of the ski, the carbon fiber skis have a clear top-sheet that allows you to see the delicate weave of the carbon fiber inside.

The company’s 8 seasons of manufacturing and a focus on customer involvement have showed a trend towards customers’ interest in saving money, while still buying a premium product. To give people an opportunity to do so Seneca Boards sells their products in limited editions straight from the factory to avoid the markup of traditional retailers. As sales slow in the spring, Seneca creates demand by offering customers large savings for buying skis early for the following season, similar to local ski resorts offering deep discounts for season passes purchased in the spring.

Seneca Boards will put the backcountry skis and split-boards on sale for a limited time for 25% off and release a limited edition of 50 pairs, each hand numbered and signed personally by the owner.

Seneca Boards is the Montana’s first ski and snowboard manufacturer, and one of 3 of the country’s leading custom ski and snowboard manufacturers. The limited edition skis and split-boards can be seen at www.senecaboards.com or www.facebook.com/senecaboards and are already in stock. You can also see the skis in person or check out skis to demo by stopping into the factory’s new show room at 2104 North Rouse Ave, Suite B, on the way to Bridger Bowl.

The Artists’ Gallery in the Emerson Cultural Center will feature the work of Marci Surratt and Robert Schlenker during the month of May.  The show will include a Featured Artist Reception where you can meet the artists and share a glass of wine.



Robert Schlenker is one of the Artist Gallery’s newest members.  He works primarily in oils, focusing on landscape and wildlife art.  Robert’s smooth, brush stroke technique and fine attention to detail result in exquisite, lifelike images.  This technique, coupled with great anatomical accuracy creates wildlife images so realistic, the animals appear ready to jump or fly off out of the frame.  As a full-time artist, Schlenker has been featured in galleries across the country, and is a signature member of the international organization Artists For Conservation (AFC).



Marci Surratt works primarily in oils as well, but with a much different technique.  She approaches the subject of Nature with great awe and spiritual reverence.  For inspiration, Surratt steps into Nature in search of a story.  She spends time in the landscape, feeling and imagining the history and story of her surroundings, then brings this dialogue to her canvas with each brush stroke.  She paints from her soul in an attempt to communicate what the earth and its magnificent beasts bring out inside herself.

Stop by for our Featured Artist Reception in The Artists’ Gallery, Friday, May 8th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm during the Emerson Open House.

Hopa Mountain’s Youth Leadership Program is now accepting applications for the 2015 summer youth leadership camps for teens 13-17.  The camp for Park County teens will be held June 15-19, and the Gallatin County camp will be July 6-10.  The camps are free-of-charge for accepted participants.  In these weeklong residential camps, youth will participate in outdoor problem-solving and skill-building activities, self awareness activities, art and sciences activities, and community service.  This summer’s camps also include white water rafting.  Each summer camp is followed by bi-weekly service-learning programs and community service projects throughout the school year.
 
Hopa Mountain’s Youth Leadership Program is a year round initiative which promotes positive and sustained educational experiences for Gallatin and Park County teens, by fostering direct interaction with the environment, the arts, respected adults and the greater community.  These experiences help prepare teens for life as contributing members of their families, peer groups, and communities. The program is made possible through the generous support of the Mountain Sky Guest Ranch Fund, the O.P. and W.E. Edwards Foundation, the Walter L. and Lucille Braun Family Charitable Gift Fund, the Gilhousen Family Foundation, and Hopa Mountain members. The Park County program is collaboratively organized with LINKS for Learning in Livingston.
 
Hopa Mountain is a Bozeman-based non-profit that invests in rural and tribal citizen leaders, adults and youth, in their efforts to improve education, ecological health, and economic development (www.hopamountain.org).  Citizen leaders are those individuals -- adults and youth -- who step forward when they recognize that their community needs help. Hopa Mountain provides these leaders with training, mentoring, and networking opportunities.  Promoting and supporting youth leadership and community service is core to Hopa Mountain’s mission.  Hopa Mountain’s Youth Leadership Camp applications are available online at www.hopamountain.org or by calling (406) 586-2455 or emailing info@hopamountain.org.          

After three rounds of voting, over 10,000 votes cast, and lots of pizza debate, the Montana Mint named Eugene’s Pizza of Glasgow as the 2015 Montana Pizza Champion.  Montanans have voted over the past three weeks for their favorite pizza shops in a March Madness style bracket.  A copy of the original bracket can be found here.

The owners of the Montana Mint said, “One thing that became clear over the past year is there was no consensus on the best pizza in the state.  The 2015 Montana Pizza Championship bracket aimed to give us some answers.”

Statewide radio personality Aaron Flint has been regularly plugging the pizza shop on his morning show “Voices of Montana.”  Upon hearing the news of Eugene’s victory, Flint said “”I think it’s pretty clear the Hi Line is the real winner here. Three of the top four came from Highway 2 destinations. I’ll never forget growing up as a kid seeing Mr. Knodel throwing the pizza dough up to the ceiling. Eugenes Pizza has the taste, the ambience, and the community.”

Eugene’s captured 48 percent of the vote in the Final Four round of the Montana Pizza Championship Bracket.  Eugene’s fended off stiff competition from Nalivka’s out of Havre (34 percent), Howard’s of Great Falls (11 percent), and Me Too Pizza out of Culbertson (7 percent).

Eugene’s was established in 1962 and has served the greater Glasgow area ever since.  The offer your regular slate of normal pizza toppings, and some “Time Proven Combinations” that offer some bizzare, but apparently popular, choices.  These include the Henry J (Canadian bacon and Sauerkraut), The Friday Special (tuna, shrimp, mushroom, and onion) and the Super (pretty much everything: Pepperoni, Beef, Salami, Sausage, Onion, Green Pepper & Mushroom).

For those not able to find their way to Glasgow in the near future, Eugene’s will overnight (!!!) you a half-cooked pizza.  They also have some sweet gear you can rep anywhere in the world.  Give them a call at (406) 228-8552 for details.

You can relive the action by checking out the launch of the bracket, our analysis for the sweet sixteen, our disbelief as Moose’s fell behind in the voting, and finally the Final Four.

The Montana Mint has a simple mission: Bring the best of Montana to the internet.  We do this by sharing lots of original content, gorgeous photos, and stories we think you’ll be interested in.  And we highlight Montana businesses and Montana made products (like our BEER shirt).  See more at www.montana-mint.com.